The Detroit Pistons (40-13) head to Madison Square Garden on Thursday to face the New York Knicks (35-20), with several key absences affecting both squads.
Detroit will be without Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to league suspensions, while Bobi Klintman and Wendell Moore Jr. remain in the G League on assignments.
New York’s lineup is less certain, with OG Anunoby listed as questionable due to a right toe injury, and Miles McBride sidelined following pelvic and core muscle surgery. Pacome Dadiet is also on assignment in the G League. These absences add to the challenges the Knicks face after losing both previous meetings to the Pistons this season by wide margins.
Detroit boasts one of the league’s most efficient offenses. Cade Cunningham leads the team with 25.3 points, 9.6 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 46.2% from the field. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson provide secondary scoring, averaging 13.4 and 12.3 points respectively, while Ausar Thompson contributes 10.2 points with strong perimeter defense.
The Pistons have also shown depth in the frontcourt. Duren averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds before his suspension, while Stewart’s 10 points and 5.1 rebounds per game will be missed.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson leads the team with 27 points and 6.1 assists per game, while Karl-Anthony Towns averages a double-double with 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds. Anunoby’s status will be pivotal; his 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game anchor New York’s frontcourt alongside Towns. Mikal Bridges adds 15.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per night.
Detroit enters this matchup on a three-game winning streak, including a 113-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors on February 11, 2026, and a dominant 118-80 win over New York on February 6. The Pistons have held the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks are coming off a 138-89 win against the 76ers on February 11, but lost in overtime to Indiana the night before.
The tip off is at 7:30 PM ET.
